McDonnell Budget Proposal To Exclude Arena Funding

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) – Gov. Bob McDonnell's will not include $150 million in his proposed budget to help bring an NBA team to Virginia Beach.

McDonnell spokesman Tucker Martin told The Associated Press on Friday the project could still be funded, but further study is needed.

Virginia Beach is considering building a $300 million, 18,500-seat arena near the oceanfront to persuade an unnamed professional sports team to relocate there. The city asked the state to pay $70 million for construction and $80 million toward the unidentified team's relocation costs. A likely target for relocation would be the NBA's Sacramento Kings, which failed to reach an agreement to build a new arena there this spring.